Alameda schools leaders seek culture shift on learning

Schools administrators want Alameda’s teachers to sign off on a school reform pilot that would see teachers collaborating on lessons and poring over test data in order to boost student achievement instead of working individually with a focus on implementing required curriculum, a directional shift that the head of the teachers union said would increase teachers’ workload without a corresponding rise in pay.

In an interview, Superintendent Kirsten Vital said the professional learning communities approach could benefit all of Alameda Unified’s students, though district leaders are particularly hoping it can boost achievement for Alameda’s African American students and English learners.

“I believe that the power of teachers working together ultimately will help our student achievement outcomes,” Vital said. “When I have had the honor and privilege of observing our teachers working together, it’s been pretty extraordinary.”